From Bowls to Brum, reunion sparks Haynes reflection

The remarkable longevity and almost poetic nature of Rachael Haynes’ career in cricket was brought into sharp focus by an unexpected reunion ahead of her flight to the UK for the Commonwealth Games last week.

Sharing the flight with Haynes was a former colleague from a time when she straddled life in the national cricket team with a career on the other side of the fence, in sports administration at Bowls Australia.

Before the days of central contracts for the Australian women’s team, current vice-captain Haynes supported herself with a job at Bowls Australia alongside Barrie Lester, who is competing in the Birmingham Games as part of the Australian Lawn Bowls team, the Jackaroos.

"It was probably well over 10 years ago, but Baz (Lester) and I were both employed at Bowls Australia," explained Haynes.

"I was still in the national team playing for Australia at that time, as he was as well.

"We used to share stories back in the office when we were working and we travelled around the country working on bowls tournament as well. It was really nice to see him again. "

Haynes, who first broke into the Australian team as a 22-year-old in 2009, admitted to reporters on Wednesday in Ireland that the chance reunion gave her pause to consider the drastic change in conditions she’s lived through in her time as an elite female cricketer.

"It probably wasn't even in my mind that this could potentially be my profession, " Haynes said.

"I always envisaged that I’d probably have to work and play at this level. Times have certainly changed and certainly for the better.

"It’s been really nice to experience that transition and the professionalisation of the game in Australia.

"I’m grateful for that experience (at Bowls Australia) as well. I think it's made a huge difference, being able to experience both."

It’s been a remarkable re-ascent to the pinnacle of the game for Haynes, who after spending a chunk of time out of the national team after being dropped in 2013, has continued to scale new heights as vice-captain and a mainstay in Australia’s notoriously strong batting order.

Most recently in New Zealand for the ODI World Cup, Haynes batted away suggestions of retirement with a statement century in the first match of the tournament before surpassing Debbie Hockley’s previous record of most runs in a single women’s World Cup with 497 at an average of 61.12.

Alyssa Healy’s unforgettable 170 in the final meant she leapfrogged Haynes to claimed the record, but nonetheless an outstanding tournament for Australia’s opening batter and vice-captain.

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Next on the agenda for Haynes and the team she so confidently leads alongside Meg Lanning, is an entirely unfamiliar mission as they prepare for their goal of bringing home Commonwealth Games gold.

In typically opportune fashion, Haynes plans on making the most of the unique opportunity.

"There is a sense that it'll be a little bit different, it's almost the unknown," Haynes said.

"I think the team's just really looking forward to it. To be around a whole group of different athletes and different sports and be a team within a much larger team as well.

"The potential to reach an even much broader audience and potentially grow the game is exciting. I think that's something that we want to be part of, and that journey starts here in Ireland as well.

"Hopefully, we can continue to grow the game and people fall in love, particularly with the women's game as well."

Australia will play two more games in Northern Ireland against Ireland and Pakistan respectfully, before travelling to Birmingham to settle in to the Athlete Village before the first match against India on July 29.

Australia's Tour of the UK, 2022

Australia's squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington

T20 Tri-Series

Ireland squad: Laura Delany (c), Ava Canning, Rachel Delaney, Georgina Dempsey, Amy Hunter, Arlene Kelly, Gaby Lewis, Sophie MacMahon, Jane Maguire, Cara Murray, Leah Paul, Orla Prendergast, Rebecca Stokell, Mary Waldron

Pakistan squad: Bismah Maroof (c), Aimen Anwar, Aliya Riaz, Anam Amin, Ayesha Naseem, Diana Baig, Fatima Sana, Gul Feroza, Iram Javed, Kainat Imtiaz, Muneeba Ali Siddiqui, Nida Dar, Omaima Sohail, Sadia Iqbal, Tuba Hassan

July 16: Australia v Pakistan: no result

July 17: Australia defeated Ireland by nine wickets

July 19: Ireland v Pakistan

July 21: Australia v Ireland

July 23: Australia v Pakistan

July 24: Ireland v Pakistan

All matches start 4pm local time (1am AEST) and played at Bready Cricket Club, Derry, Northern Ireland

Australia's T20 tri-series matches will be broadcast in Australia on Foxtel and Kayo Sports, while the games between Pakistan and Ireland can be watched via live stream here

2022 Commonwealth Games

July 29 v India (11am local time, 8pm AEST)

July 31 v Barbados (6pm local, 3am Aug 1 AEST)

August 3 v Pakistan (11am local, 8pm AEST)

Group A: Australia, India, Pakistan, Barbados

Group B: England, New Zealand, South Africa, Sri Lanka

Semi-finals: August 6, 11am local (8pm AEST) and 6pm local (3am Aug 7 AEST)

Bronze medal match: August 7, 10am local (7pm AEST)

Gold medal match: August 7, 5pm local (2am Aug 8 AEST)

All matches played at Edgbaston Stadium